ILLINOIS STATESOLAR CAR TEAM

Raycing under the sun for over a decade!

OUR MISSION

The Illinois State University Solar Car Team aims to offer a unique learning experience for students interested in science, engineering, and technology as well as to provide an educational program to demonstrate the benefits of alternative energy to Illinois State University and neighboring communities. We plan to continue competing in races across North America and the world as a way to test and improve our skills and promote a greener future.

2016 TEAM

The Illinois State University Solar Car Team is a student-led organization that designs, builds, and races solar vehicles against teams from around the world. We consist of a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty who volunteer time and energy to advance their skills and the promise of renewable energy. We have successfully built four solar vehicles and are currently working on our fifth vehicle, Mercury 5s.

Nick Reichman

Nick is currently the President and serves as the “go-to-guy” for the team. He originally joined the team in fall 2013 as the CNC machinist where he created the hubs and uprights of Mercury V. Nick has skills in almost every aspect when it comes to building a solar car including carbon fiber layups, electrical, and machining. In May 2015 he graduated with a degree in Engineering Technology and now is pursuing a Masters degree in Project Management.

Brock Porter

Brock became the Vice President of the team this semester, spring 2015. Brock has worked on the electrical, mechanical, and body aspects of the car, his prior experience in the automotive industry he was an essential part of the team’s trip to Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge in early January 2015.

Brian Warner

Brian joined the team in the fall of 2014. His role on the team is to be part of the financial council where he helps write proposals to various organizations to help the team find sponsorships. He worked on rebuilding the car that went with the team to their most recent race in Abu Dhabi, Mercury IV, where he spent most of his time working on the body of the car. After all the work he did he also went with the team to that race. He hopes in the future to learn the other aspects that go into building a solar car.

Logan Koepke

Logan is a graduate with a degree in Engineering Technology. Logan is a strong advocate for the use of composite materials in order to give the team an edge in competition, and as such he has taken up researching composites and preparing to build a wide array of composite parts for Mercury 5s including a composite frame. With his prior knowledge coming in to the team he has served the team well, and hopes to do so for the foreseeable future.

Dan Byl

Dan is majoring in Engineering Technology along with participating in the Army ROTC program found at ISU. Dan is fascinated with the process of how things are are built and how they operate, which led him to choose the major of Engineering Technology. Working with the solar car team has given him some of the most hands on and practical work involvement he has received in his lifetime, while also providing him with opportunities many people will go their entire lives without experiencing. Along with being responsible for the financial work on the team Dan was critical in building the solar array currently found on Mercury IV. Dan is looking forward to what the future has in store for both himself and the solar car team.

Keith Kennedy

Keith is majoring in Math Education and minoring in Engineering Education. Keith has been a part of the team since he begun at ISU in the fall of 2014. Last semester, he helped with many odds and ends with the car, learning as much as possible along the way. Despite his busy class schedule, he is currently in the process of creating a telemetry system utilizing Arduino microcontrollers to help the team with race day decisions. He hopes to become a high school math teacher upon graduation.

Anna Gallagher

Anna is pursuing a degree in Engineering Technology with a minor in Mathematics. Anna’s role on the team is to serve as a design and media specialist. She was active in the remodeling of Merc IV that occurred in the fall semester of 2014. She is excited for the American Solar Challenge in the summer and can’t wait to see what adventures this new race will bring and the new things she will learn.

Brad Derry

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Santiago Pinto

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Erich Christ

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Kieran Blackemore

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American Solar Car Challenge

The American Solar Challenge is a cross-country road race allowing students to test their vehicles to their full potential. This year’s race spans over 1900 miles from Brecksville, OH to Hot Springs, SD in the span of 7 days. This is a true race that takes place every other year.

Formula Sun Grand Prix

The Formula Sun Grand Prix is a three day track event held on some of the most beautiful tracks around the country. This style of racing tests the overall capabilities of the vehicle including handling, braking, and efficiency. Teams must be strategic during this race in-order to obtain the most laps possible by the end of the three days